Fremantle line explained

Fremantle line
System:Transperth Train Operations
Start:Perth
End:
Continuesfrom:Midland line
Continuesas:Spearwood–Armadale line
Stations:17
Ridership2:5,256,226 (year to June 2023)
Open:1 March 1881
Close:1 September 1979
Reopen:1983
Owner:
Operator:Transperth
Stock:A-series, B-series
Gauge:
    Electrification: from overhead catenary
    Map State:show

    The Fremantle line is a suburban railway and service in Western Australia that connects the central business district (CBD) of Perth with Fremantle.

    History

    The railway on which the service runs opened on 1 March 1881 as the first suburban railway line in Perth by William Robinson.[1] It originally operated as the Eastern Railway and ran between Fremantle and Guildford, via central Perth. In March 1884, the railway line was extended via Midland Junction to Bellevue[2] [3] and later to Clackline, York and Northam. The railway line opened as a single track with a passing loop at Claremont, it was duplicated in 1896/97. A dedicated freight line was later added on the western side between Cottesloe and the Leighton Marshalling Yard.[4]

    On 22 October 1898, the railway line was extended south to Robbs Jetty, on 1 July 1903 via Cockburn to Coogee and on 19 December 1955 via Woodman Point to Kwinana.[5] [6] The Coogee to Woodman Point section closed on 16 September 1973, followed by Robbs Jetty to Coogee in February 1986.[3] [7]

    In July 1926, the Fremantle Railway Bridge over the Swan River was partly washed away in a flood, with one line restored in October 1926 and the second in April 1928.[4]

    In the 1960s, as part of the standard gauge project, the section south of Cockburn was replaced by the Kwinana line on a different alignment.[8] One of the lines north of Cockburn to the container terminal at North Quay and Leighton Marshalling Yard was converted to standard gauge. The Fremantle Railway Bridge was converted to dual gauge.[4] [9] A marshalling yard was built at Robbs Jetty.

    In 1966, the eastern railway metropolitan passenger services were curtailed to terminate at Midland.

    Passenger services on the Fremantle line were suspended on 1 September 1979. The decision was based on three one day counts in 1971, 1975 and 1977. The Liberal government of Charles Court planned to convert the railway reserve into a busway, citing figures which showed a loss of $1.14 per passenger-journey on trains versus a loss of $0.26 per passenger-journey on buses. The closure of the line was opposed by Friends of the Railway (FOR), which submitted a petition of 100,000 signatures and prepared a 98-page report arguing for its retention.[10] The railway was kept in working order despite the closure, initially because narrow gauge freight trains still used it to access Fremantle, there being no other narrow gauge access to the port.[11] Later when a narrow gauge link was constructed from Cockburn to North Fremantle, trade unions had placed a ban on working on dismantling any track or equipment.[12] The service was reinstated on 29 July 1983 following a change of government which saw Brian Burke and the Australian Labor Party (ALP) come to power.[1] [4] [13] [14] During the closure of the rail line, patronage dropped by 30%.[15]

    For the staging of the 1987 America's Cup, stations south of Fremantle were erected for use by special trains at The Esplanade, Success Harbour and South Beach. The Hotham Valley Railway operated a daily service on this section of the line with a W class steam locomotive as the Spinnaker Run between October 1986 and February 1987.[16] The narrow and standard gauge lines were rebuilt as a single dual gauge line at the same time. Having been disused since 1987, the three stations were demolished in September 2018.[17] [18]

    During 1990, work commenced on building a new North Fremantle station, 800m (2,600feet) north of its original location, which opened for service on 28 July 1991. Leighton station, which was 700m (2,300feet) further north, was demolished during the electrification of the line. Regular electric services started in September 1991.[1] [19] Today there are 17 stations on the line.[20]

    As part of the Subi Centro project, Subiaco station and 900m (3,000feet) of the line were sunk in 1998.[21] Between 2011 and 2014, the Fremantle line was sunk between Lake Street and the Horseshoe Bridge in the Perth CBD to allow for the redevelopment of the area.[22] Perth station's former Fremantle to Midland platform became an island platform, with an additional platform and track built on the north side. Platforms west of the Horseshoe Bridge were demolished.[22] In June 2011 a $237 million cost blow-out was revealed, added to a 2009 project estimate of $500 million.[23] [24]

    The new tunnel is the first in Western Australia to use a rigid overhead conductor rail instead of overhead wires, the same system as used on the Madrid Metro. With overhead wires, the clearance between the new tunnel and the existing Yanchep line tunnel is only . The new tunnel could be built to a smaller diameter by using a conductor rail, allowing for an increased clearance between the two.[25] The new tunnel opened on 18 July 2013.[26]

    With the privatisation of Westrail in 2000, responsibility for the Perth to South Beach section passed to the Public Transport Authority and the South Beach to Cockburn Junction section to Arc Infrastructure, although operational responsibility for the standard gauge line is with Arc Infrastructure.[27] [28] [29]

    A new bridge over the Swan River . This will carry the Fremantle line with the existing bridge retained for use by freight trains to Fremantle Harbour.[30]

    Services

    Transperth operate services on the line from Fremantle through the Perth CBD to Midland on the Midland line.[31] [32] Freight services operate from Kewdale and Forrestfield to North Quay. Until July 2015 these were operated by Aurizon when SCT Logistics took over.[33] [34]

    Rolling stock

    Until the ADG class railcars entered service in 1953, services on the Fremantle line were operated by steam locomotives. Some peak-hour services continued to be steam hauled until the arrival of the ADK/ADB class diesel multiple units in 1968 resulted in the end of steam haulage. When the line was electrified in 1991, A-series electric multiple units took over. B-series electric multiple units have been used irregularly (for example, for special events services to West Leederville). Two three-car B-series trains were introduced on regular weekday peak services from 21 July 2019.[35]

    Patronage

    Below is the annual patronage of Fremantle railway line from 2010 to 2011 financial year. Figures are provided as total boardings, which includes all fare-paying boardings and free travel on stations within the free transit zones as well as transfers between stations. The figures for rail replacement and special events services are not included in the total.[36]

    Cultural references

    The Fremantle line featured in the 2006 film Last Train to Freo.

    Description

    During hot weather, the tracks can distort. As a result, train speeds are reduced by approximately when the air temperature is above, and by an additional when the air temperature is above .[37] [38]

    The Transperth network currently uses fixed block signalling and automatic train protection, which stops trains that pass a red signal and slows trains that drive too fast.[39] These systems will be replaced by an automatic train control system, likely a communications-based train control system.

    Stations

    Station! colspan="2"
    Distance from Perth[40] Fare zone[41] LocationOpenedConnections
    kmmi
    Perth0.00.01/PerthBus at Perth BusportAustralind, Airport, Armadale, Mandurah, Thornlie and Yanchep linesServices continue on the Midland line
    City West1.61.01/West Perth1986Airport line
    West Leederville2.71.71Subiaco, West Leederville1897Airport line
    Subiaco3.62.21Subiaco1883Bus, Airport line
    Daglish4.93.01Daglish, Subiaco1924Airport line
    Shenton Park6.03.71Shenton Park1908Bus, Airport line
    Karrakatta7.64.71Karrakatta1886Airport line
    Loch Street8.05.01Claremont, Karrakatta1954Airport line
    Showgrounds§8.75.41Claremont1954Airport line
    Claremont9.45.81Claremont1886Bus, Airport line
    Swanbourne10.56.62Claremont, Swanbourne1904
    Grant Street11.27.02Cottesloe1954
    Cottesloe12.47.72Cottesloe1884Bus
    Mosman Park13.68.52Cottesloe, Mosman Park1894
    Victoria Street14.28.82Cottesloe, Mosman Park1954
    North Fremantle16.110.02North Fremantle1991
    Fremantle19.011.82Fremantle1907Bus

    Stopping patterns and frequency

    The Fremantle railway line has one all-stops service pattern. All stops services run every 15 minutes during the day from Monday to Sunday, every 10 minutes (six trains per hour) during the weekday peak period, and every half an hour or every hour at night. When the Airport line began operation,[42] [43] weekday peak period frequency between Claremont and Fremantle was reduced to five trains per hour.[44] A special D stopping pattern servicing Shenton College previously ran between Perth station and Shenton Park station once daily in each direction.[41] This pattern last ran and was deleted on 7 October 2022, due to the Airport line rendering it useless.

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/aboutus/ourhistory/tabid/42/default.aspx Our History
    2. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2991707 Legislative Council - The Governor's Speech
    3. Book: Quinlan. Howard. Newland. John. Australian Railway Routes 1854 - 2000. 2000. Australian Railway Historical Society. Redfern. 0-909650-49-7. 64.
    4. Book: Minchin. RS. Higham. GJ. Robb's Railway Fremantle to Guildford Railway Centenary. 1981. Australian Railway Historical Society. Bassendean. 0-9599690-2-0. 11, 19, 24, 37, 38, 48.
    5. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/num_act/rjpra19022evn40487/rjpra19022evn40487.pdf Robb's Jetty-Woodman's Point Railway Act 1902
    6. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/cra1952213/sch1.html Coogee-Kwinana Railway Act 1952
    7. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/num_act/rr24o1973320/rr24o1973320.pdf Railway (Coogee-Kwinana Railway) Discontinuance Act 1973
    8. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_act/kra1961335/sch1.html Kwinana-Mundijong-Jarrahdale Railway Act 1961
    9. https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/HRP0.WA%20Standard%20Gauge%20Railway%20Kalgoorlie%20to%20Perth Nomination of Western Australian Standard Gauge Railway for an Engineering Heritage Australia Heritage Recognition Award
    10. News: Friends of Railways try save Perth to Fremantle line. The Canberra Times via Trove. 21 June 1979. 13 October 2020. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122034748/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110953052. live.
    11. Web site: Perth City Link Rail Master Plan : Lowering of the Fremantle Railway in Perth . Public Transport Authority . March 2010 . 19 September 2021 . 21 . 8 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220308014529/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/2/docs/PCL/PCL%20-%20Master%20Plan%20-%20Rail%20consolidated%20version%20no%20appendix%20%2020.05.10.pdf?ver=2010-09-22-143614-220 . live .
    12. Book: Higham . Geoffrey . Marble Bar to Mandurah: A History of Passenger Rail Services in Western Australia . 2007 . Rail Heritage WA . 89 . 9780959969092 . 18 December 2022 . 15 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221115044611/https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4391335 . live .
    13. http://www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/Community_-About_Cottesloe-History_of_Cottesloe.htm A History of the Town of Cottesloe
    14. http://www.sro.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/full_guide_to_1983_state_cabinet_records_final_30052014_0.pdf A Guide to the 1983 State Cabinet Records
    15. Web site: Newman. Peter. 2012. The Perth Rail Transformation: Some political lessons learned.. 2. 25 October 2020. 28 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201028205027/https://sustainability.curtin.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2017/06/The-Perth-Rail-Transformation-Some-political-lessons-learned.pdf. live.
    16. http://www.hothamvalleyrailway.com.au/history_of_hvtr.htm A Descriptive History of Hotham Valley Tourist Railway
    17. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123200058/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/projects/completed-projects/fremantle-line-platform-demolitions Fremantle Line Platform Demolitions
    18. Fremantle line platforms removed Railway Digest November 2018 page 27
    19. News: Occasional Notes. 21 October 1881. The West Australian. 2. 10 March 2014.
    20. https://web.archive.org/web/20080721030836/http://www.righttrack.wa.gov.au/Portals/3/media/History_Fremantle.pdf History of Stations on the Fremantle Line
    21. https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Court/1998/12/Official-opening-of-the-Subiaco-rail-tunnel-and-station.aspx Official opening of the Subiaco rail tunnel and station
    22. Web site: Perth City Link Rail Master Plan - Lowering of the Fremantle Railway in Perth . 2011-04-26 . 2010-03-30 . Public Transport Authority of Western Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20110327135734/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=z63cggiG7gM%3D&tabid=330&mid=973&language=en-US . 27 March 2011 . dead .
    23. News: Neale . Prior . City Link in $237m cost blowout . 2011-06-02 . The West Australian . 22 June 2011 . 28 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120928111904/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/9568269/city-link-in-237m-cost-blowout/ . live .
    24. News: 1ha town square to be built on land when Perth rail goes underground . 29 November 2011 . PerthNow (Sunday Times) . 22 June 2011 . 13 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110813115200/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/ha-town-square-to-be-build-on-land-when-perth-rail-goes-underground/story-e6frg13u-1225805093991 . live .
    25. Web site: WA rail technology first . Public Transport Authority of Western Australia . 6 August 2012 . 31 August 2012 . 24 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924083056/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/perthcitylink/Article/tabid/514/ArticleID/26/WA-Rail-Technology-First.aspx . live .
    26. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-18/tunnel-opening-highlights-coalition27s-lack-of-public-transpor/4828658 Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese highlights urban rail as key election issue
    27. http://www.brookfieldrail.com/assets/br_files/Communications%20Material/2014%20Brookfield%20Rail%20Network%20Map.pdf Network Map
    28. http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/0/PTA%20Network%20Rules%202015%20-%20DRAFT%202014-12-08.pdf Scope of the Network Rules
    29. http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/portals/0/annualreports/2008/network-and-infrastructure.html Trackwork resleepering
    30. https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/projects-initiatives/all-projects/metropolitan/Swan-River-Crossings/ Swan River Crossings
    31. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/timetablepdfs/Fremantle%20Line%2020130718.pdf Fremantle Line Timetable
    32. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/timetablepdfs/Midland%20Line%2020130718.pdf Midland Line Timetable
    33. http://bitre.gov.au/publications/2014/files/trainline_002.pdf Trainline 2 Statistical Report
    34. http://www.sctlogistics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SCT-Xpress-August-2015.pdf SCT WA picks up new business with Fremantle Port Rail Service
    35. Web site: Train and Bus Network Wide Changes. Government of Western Australia. 21 July 2019. Transperth. https://web.archive.org/web/20190722131440/https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/train-and-bus-network-wide-changes-87105. 22 July 2019. live.
    36. Web site: Transperth patronage. Public Transport Authority. 2014-09-27. 15 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180715123025/http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/about-us/priorities-and-performance/transport-performance#Fremantle-Line-35. live.
    37. Web site: Train services slowed due to extreme heat . Public Transport Authority . 18 January 2022 . 4 February 2020 . 18 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182836/https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/news/media-statements/train-services-slowed-due-to-extreme-heat . live .
    38. Web site: Coles . Brittany . Transperth reduces speed of trains due to extreme heat . Rail Express . 18 January 2022 . 6 February 2020 . 18 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182830/https://www.railexpress.com.au/transperth-reduces-speed-of-trains-due-to-extreme-heat/ . live .
    39. Web site: HCS SWTR Book 1 - Scope of Works DRAFT 01-09-21_Redacted . Tenders WA . 20 January 2022 . 30 September 2021 . 20 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120061042/https://www.tenders.wa.gov.au/watenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=50712&action=display-tender-details&returnUrl=%2Ftender%2Fsearch%2Ftender-search.do%3FCSRFNONCE%3D2C8CC45A3E0537F33C62E60CB6DF5A30 . live . Click Download Now, then Download for Information Only. Make sure HCS SWTR Book 1 - Scope of Works DRAFT 01-09-21_Redacted.pdf is selected, then click Download Documents.
    40. Web site: Manual – Rail Access . 10 . Public Transport Authority . 30 August 2021 . 20 September 2021 . 21 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210921045822/https://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/15/AA_DOCUMENTS/About_us/Working%20with%20PTA/Safety%20resources/8800-400-001%20-%20Rail%20Access%20Manual.pdf . live . Distance from East Perth station to Perth station is 2.1 km. Distance listed for Fremantle line stations is their distance from East Perth station. Each distance listed on this article is the distance listed in the source minus 2.1 km.
    41. Web site: Fremantle Line Train Timetable . Transperth . 21 September 2021 . 1 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200201211216/https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/timetablepdfs/Fremantle%20Line%2020190721.pdf . live .
    42. Web site: All aboard: date set for opening of METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link . Media Statements . 16 August 2022 . 16 August 2022 . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816045140/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/08/All-aboard-date-set-for-opening-of-METRONET-Forrestfield-Airport-Link.aspx . live .
    43. Web site: de Kruijff . Peter . Long-delayed $1.9b Forrestfield-Airport rail link to open in October . WAtoday . 16 August 2022 . 16 August 2022 . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816040958/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/long-delayed-1-9b-forrestfield-airport-rail-link-to-open-in-october-20220816-p5baat.html . live .
    44. Web site: Saffioti . Rita . Planning underway on Airport Line connecting bus and train services . Government of Western Australia, Dept of the Premier and Cabinet . 17 December 2021 . Perth, WA . 22 September 2021 . 22 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210922214951/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2021/09/Planning-underway-on-Airport-Line-connecting-bus-and-train-services.aspx . live .

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